This is a much-delayed update from those of us who have already arrived at the field station (Marianne, Lev, Ted, Kirill, and me). We were all so busy unpacking, catching (and recovering from) colds, and starting our preliminary research that there hasn’t been much time to think about blogging! But I had a guilt-induced dream last night about typing up a blog and then figured it was about time to send out an update.

Figure A. Happy to be free of airplane trips and finally on the Kozhov! Photo taken by K. Wright

Once again, I am at a loss for words to describe the process of arriving in Bolshie Koty and the intense unpacking that went into making the lab a useable space. So instead, I present to you some photos that I am confident will correctly communicate our jetlagged thought processes.

Figure B. All those chairs! And boxes! We have to unload the boxes! But where?Jetlag is setting in and it is all too overwhelming. Photo taken by K. Wright

Figure C. Let us, instead, rejoice in our new lab space set up by SashaPislegin! It is beautiful. Photo taken by K. Wright

Figure D. After much hard work and some magic, a miraculous transformationoccurs! Another beautiful working space again, with a fantastic view. Perfect. Photo taken by K. Wright

Figure E. But what happened to the sink?? Photo by T. Ozersky

Figure F. WE GOT A BETTER ONE!!! Thanks Sasha! Photo by Ted Ozersky

After a fair bit of unpacking, much work was also done! We’ve already had several sampling trips out on the Kozhov and conducted quite a few promising preliminary experiments, including: a re-do of the saprolegnia fungus infection experiment from last year, a nauplius temperature tolerance experiment, a grazing analysis with C. erosa, and an artificial cohort experiment. The artificial cohort is a method used to measure growth rates of a species (in our case, the lovely and ever-present Epischura baikalensis) without needing to raise them through multiple life stages. This is great for us, as Epischura are frustratingly difficult to raise in the lab. Now that the lab is set up and settled, we’re ready to dig in to the experiments we’ve planned. I am looking forward to an excellent field season, and seeing the rest of our team when they arrive!

In closing, I’d like to add some photos of research and also a gratuitous photo of our mini 4th of July celebration in the lab (note the very American sunglasses).

No, but really, I dare you to find more American sunglasses. Photo taken by M. Moore

Everyone looks so Happy! Every sampling day is a party. Photo taken by K. Wright

Ted and Kirill sampling using our new closing net. Photo taken by K. Wright